Shake, Rattle, and Roll

 

Even Sir Simon's detractors identify this set of Britten works as one of his very best.

Quite frankly, I haven't followed Simon Rattle's recordings enough to be considered a serious detractor nor an avid supporter. The recordings I have held onto from the British conductor are this one of Britten's works and another set of Szymanowski, another lauded collection with the same orchestra.

Rattle led the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1980 - 1998, a partnership which raised both names greatly. This 2CD compilation was recorded between 1982 to 1990, where the earliest performances doesn't particularly find the orchestra in its finest mettle. There is nothing egregious from the CBSO, but the time Rattle spent with the orchestra was well needed and the differences can be heard here.

There is a hearty mixture of rarely recorded Britten works sprinkled with just a few warhorses.

Of the latter, Sinfonia da Requiem is an orchestral piece which works from darkness to light, both musically and emotionally. EMI places the bass drum ideally, although most should Britten's own recording first.

The other well-known composition is Diversions, a theme-and-variations piano concerto for left-hand. The main through line of this composition is based on intervals of fourths and fifths, found in each variation. This leaves Britten to essentially create little character pieces across eleven variations, charmingly leading the listener through to the finale.

Among the rarities are some choral/orchestra items, including the inventive Ballad of Heroes, The Building of the House Overture, and the craggier Praise We Great Men. So too, Peter Donohoe continues on piano from the Diversions mentioned earlier, into Young Apollo for chamber orchestra and string quartet and the two-piano Scottish Ballad, both unique creations from Britten.

The purely orchestral works are represented by the unusually serious Suite on English Folk Tunes, as well as three overtures - An American Overture, Canadian Carnival, and the Occasional Overture, all rather amusing concert pieces. I should also mention the brief orchestrated song cycle Quatre Chanson Françaises, which finds Britten in full French mode. I don't much care for Jill Gomez's vibrato, but that is a personal viewpoint, I am sure.

I found much more to like than not amongst the dozen works led by Simon Rattle in this set. I was left cold by Britten's English Folk Tunes Suite, where a smile or a little humor is badly needed among these folk tunes, and Praise We Great Men doesn't work for me until the end. I have other recordings of the Four French Songs I enjoy more, but solo voices are of a personal taste.

Everything else here sounds interesting and creative to these ears, ones I wasn't so sure of when I first heard this album in the 90s. Peter Donohoe is a strong pianist in his three contributions, joined by the great Philip Fowke in the towering Scottish Ballad. Robert Tear isn't a favorite tenor of mine, but he is in good voice the two times he shows up here.

If the CBSO isn't perfect in their earlier performances, they are committed to this music, and a few years with Rattle show the orchestra in a much better light. EMI's recording is engineered well too.

 

 

Soloists
Jill Gomez, soprano
Robert Tear, tenor
Willard White, bass
Felix Kok, violin
Peter Donohoe, piano
Philip Fowke, piano

Performers
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Simon Rattle, conductor

Label: EMI
Year: 1982-90; 1991
Timing:
   CD1 - 78.07
   CD2 - 77.34
   Total: 2.35.41

 

 

 

 

 

This may have been my first collection of orchestral works from Britten. At that time, I might not have understood all of this music in comparison to his choral and vocal pieces, but I have come around on most of them.

Still a great recording by any measure. Certainly it is a shining star in the relationship between Rattle and the CBSO.

A great set!